ERNIE ELS finds himself probably the hottest-ever favourite for a European tour event this week.

Four days after his victory in the Dubai Desert Classic, the 35-year-old world number three tees off tomorrow at the Qatar Masters in Doha against a field which does not contain any other member of golf's top 50.

The next highest ranked player is Australian left-hander Richard Green, at 52nd two places below where he needs to be to qualify for next month's Masters.

It is Els' first visit to the country and he is the biggest name to have appeared so far in a tournament launched in 1998.

"My ultimate goal this year is to win another major," he said. "I think I have the game and I feel I am in the right kind of form to go all the way.